Park Plaza join the Fight for Sight

Fight for Sight and the UK’s newest landmark hotel, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, have joined forces to raise awareness of the importance of research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease.

Blindness is often cited as people’s most common health fear after cancer and heart disease. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel believes its spectacular views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament can remind people just how much they value their sight and encourage more support for world-class eye research. Timed in coordination with the hotel’s grand opening celebrations, they will join with Fight for Sight to launch an awareness campaign from March – May 2010.

Over the last 45 years, Fight for Sight has funded key developments in eye research including establishing the UK Corneal Transplant Service which has enabled over 45,000 corneal transplants; and providing £1 million for a research unit at the children’s eye centre of Moorfields Eye Hospital. The current research programme of over £5 million focuses on a wide-range of eye conditions and diseases including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and the causes of childhood blindness.

Fight for Sight Director of Fundraising, Annu Mayor, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the Park Plaza as their charity partner for this new campaign. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of eye research and the work of Fight for Sight.”

Open to the public from 1st March 2010, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London offers uninterrupted views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and is only steps away from the city’s most iconic attractions including the London Eye, London Aquarium and Royal Festival Hall. 

Andrew Swindells, General Manager of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, said: “We believe that the hotel’s spectacular views will provide us with a unique opportunity to draw attention to the needs of those who rely on the advances of medical research to enjoy a gift that many of us take for granted, our ability to see.”

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For more information contact Louise Elliott:
 on 020 7929 7755 or email press@fightforsight.org.uk

 

Note for Editors:

1) Fight for Sight
Fight for Sight is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding world-class research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease.

Since 1965, the charity has funded millions of pounds worth of research at leading universities and hospitals throughout the UK. Our major achievements in this time include:
• saving the sight of thousands of  premature babies through understanding and controlling levels of oxygen delivery;
• restoring sight by establishing the UK Corneal Transplant Service enabling over 45,000 corneal transplants to take place;
• revolutionising the treatment for children with amblyopia (lazy eye);
• bringing hope to children with inherited eye disease by helping fund the team responsible for the world’s first gene therapy clinical trial; and
• providing £1million for the research unit at the dedicated children’s eye centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Fight for Sight’s current research programme of over £5 million focuses on preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract as well as causes of childhood blindness.

2) Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London is located at the foot of Westminster Bridge on London’s vibrant South Bank. Spacious guest rooms include Superior rooms measuring approximately 27 square metres and Studio Rooms, which at approximately 36 square metres feature a separate living room and bedroom and self-catering facilities including a microwave, crockery and cutlery for four.

Hotel dining options range from the contemporary bistro fare of renowned chef Joel Antunes at 1WB Brasserie to just-caught fresh fish at Ichi Sushi and Sashimi to the ultimate coffee bar experience at espressamente illy. Handcrafted cocktails, chic design and the hottest local entertainers on the bar’s own stage will make Primo Bar one of London’s newest places to see and be seen.

In addition to its 1,200 square-metre, pillar-free Westminster Ballroom and additional 31 meeting rooms, amenities will include a luxurious spa with 8 treatment rooms, a fitness centre complete with 15-metre swimming pool, two executive lounges and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.  For information or reservations: www.parkplaza.com/london.

For press enquiries:
Jennifer Franklin
PR Manager – Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
+44 (0) 207 620 7225, jfranklin@pphe.com